Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center launches its new ‘Voices and Visions’ Lectures series with presentation titled ‘The Colonization of the Dawnland’
BIDDEFORD — The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center will launch its new Voices and Visions Lecture Series with a presentation titled “The Colonization of the Dawnland” on April 8 at 6 p.m. at McArthur Library on Main Street in Biddeford.
Dr ARTHUR ANDERSON at work. (Contributed photo)
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The lecture will be presented by Dr. Arthur Anderson, Ph.D., Associate Teaching Professor of Archaeology at the University of New England.
Dr. Anderson studies culture change and colonial encounters through material culture on the Maritime Peninsula.
This opening lecture will explore early colonial interactions in the region known as the Dawnland, offering an archaeological perspective on how Indigenous and European communities experienced and shaped these encounters.
“This series is an opportunity to look more deeply at the many perspectives that make up our shared history,” said Diane Cyr, president of the cultural center. “Dr. Anderson’s work helps us better understand the complexities of early encounters in this region and why they still matter today.”
The Voices and Visions Lecture Series is part of the community’s 250th commemorative programming and will feature a range of speakers examining different periods and perspectives in American history.
Historian and professor Dr. Elizabeth DeWolfe will join the Biddeford Mills Museum on March 29 for a Women’s History Month lecture on the 1841 women-led strike of textile mill workers.
The Biddeford Mills Museum is celebrating this year’s Women’s History Month with a series of events and lectures, culminating in a lecture by University of New England Professor and Historian, Dr. Elizabeth DeWolfe.
DeWolfe will join the museum to discuss “The Great Turn-out of 1841, a women-led textile-mill worker strike in Biddeford.”
The lecture will be held in the Biddeford Mills Museum, beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.
The lecture is open to the public and seats may reserved via email | millalumni@gmail.com.
Following the lecture, the room will open for a question-and-answer session with attendees and refreshments will be provided.
Please join The Biddeford Mills Museum for this exciting and informative afternoon. Connect with community members past and present, celebrating the bravery of young women from our past.
Tour historic mill buildings and connect with the past that shaped Biddeford. You will have a fascinating glimpse into a vibrant history of the textile industry, walk through rooms that were once weave sheds, and visit underground canals built in 1837, where the Saco powered the mills.
For nearly 50 years, Biddeford’s most iconic ‘bootstrap developer” has demonstrated a deep love for the city.
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor
When looking back over the last 50 years of Biddeford’s history, there is no question that Doug Sanford played an extraordinarily pivotal and significant role in resurrecting a community that was brimming with potential but mired in despair.
WHERE HE MADE HIS MARK | Doug Sanford stands near the entrance of the North Dam Mill complex, part of the former Biddeford Textile Company that now offers luxury, riverfront apartments and scores of small, locally owned businesses. (Seaver photo)
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Sanford, 68, could easily be described as the walking, talking definition of a bootstrap real estate developer. His projects and fingerprints can be found throughout Biddeford, most notably his renovation and revitalization of several vacant downtown mill buildings.
A few critics – generally those who offer public commentary from the sidelines – routinely dismiss Sanford’s numerous contributions to Biddeford – painting a picture of a “wealthy real estate developer from away.”
That misinformed narrative hardly holds water.
Although Sanford has been able to successfully capitalize on many of his investments, he first arrived in Biddeford more than 45 years ago – fueled only by an excessive intake of caffeine, a meager savings account and an instant love and admiration for the city of Biddeford.
“Doug has this mix of tenacity and creativity that really made the mill redevelopment possible,” said Delilah Poupore, executive director of the Heart of Biddeford, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization of downtown Biddeford.
“He saw something in Biddeford when a lot of people didn’t, and then just kept finding ways to make it work, tenant by tenant,” Poupore added. “He’s always been willing to push a little further than what people expect, and I suppose that can open you up to criticism; but it’s also what got Biddeford on the map.”
Poupore credits Sanford as the “spark” that led to the kind of walkable, livable downtown that her organization is continually working to promote and develop.
“From the Heart of Biddeford perspective, Doug and [his wife] Lauren have been thoughtful partners in the revitalization of the downtown and in supporting our organization in ways that have truly mattered.”
Former Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant ran his first mayoral campaign in 2011 on a pledge to continue expanding on the foundational work of former Mayor Wallace Nutting and others who saw lots of potential in the city’s downtown area, despite the presence of a municipal trash incinerator that was located only 900 yards away from City Hall.
Casavant, a former history teacher at Biddeford High School, said he often taught his students about the historical impacts of industrialist John Rockerfeller and his ability to “see down the road and around the corner.”
“Doug Sanford had the same knack for seeing things that other people – for a variety of reasons – just could not see,” Casavant recalled.
“His reputation as a true visionary for Biddeford will certainly stand the test of time,” Casavant added. “He saw those shuttered mills as much more than just empty real estate. He saw the real potential, and he risked a lot to bring that vision to reality.”
Former newspaper publisher David Flood – another early believer in downtown Biddeford’s potential — described Sanford as a man of vision and hard work in his own 2015 blog post about the real estate developer who helped chart a new course for the city | Doug Sanford has been investing in Biddeford since the early 1980s.
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“He’s always been willing to push a little further than what people expect, and I suppose that can open you up to criticism; but it’s also what got Biddeford on the map.”
— Delilah Poupore, Heart of Biddeford
Humble beginnings and life lessons | A preacher’s son
Sanford was born as the youngest son of a modest church minister in central, rural New Hampshire. The family — including four other children and Sanford’s mother — had limited income and they relied on the generosity of the church, living in an adjacent parsonage building.
When Sanford was still quite young, he worked alongside his older brothers and his father, helping to build the family’s very first home in Auburn, New Hampshire, a small community located roughly 12 miles east of Manchester.
“You know, I do remember going to the town dump after dark and helping my father and brother load abandoned timbers that we used to build that house,” he laughed during a recent interview with the Gazette.
Sanford speaks fondly of his father and the lessons that he taught his children during one of the most socially turbulent periods of American history.
“The Vietnam War was consuming discussions everywhere,” Sanford recalled. “And then you had the assassinations of both Bobby Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King.
“My father was a steadying force during those difficult times. He offered sage wisdom for both his congregation and us kids.”
Sanford described his father as a “social justice leader,” a man who was proud of his role in coordinating a visit of several other New Hampshire ministers to Dr. King’s funeral.
“I learned a lot from my father,” Sanford recalled. “He was such a kind and decent man, always leading with his heart. Always willing to help those around him.”
Sanford and his wife, Lauren, were able to buy a 250-year-old, run-down house with 40 acres of land (but no mule) in the small, pastoral town of Shapleigh, Maine.
“They were offering owner financing, and that was a good thing because we had no [expletive] money,” he laughed. “The funniest part of that story is that we discovered – after a survey – that we actually had 120 acres.”
Sanford was now supporting his own young family by working in construction.
“We called that place the Sanford Family Project,” Sanford recalled with a chuckle. “When I say we had no money, I mean it. We had to come up with $4,000 cash for the down payment. I literally had quarters stacked on the table.”
Doug and Lauren raised three children, Cas, a 38-year-old attorney; Max, a 36-year-old veterinarian; and Jordan, a 33-year-old private equity manager.
“I call my kids a lawyer, a doctor and an Indian chief,” he laughed.
But today, Sanford’s top priority is spending time with his four grandchildren.
“I am very proud of my kids,” he said. “When I look back, I know –without hesitation – that your family is everything. Without them, I’m nothing.”
Now somewhat retired, Doug and Lauren enjoy time with their family on what was once a dairy farm in Waterford, a small community located in western Maine.
Welcome to Biddeford | A dicey proposition
Sanford first arrived in Biddeford in 1981. He didn’t have much money, but he had earned a decent credit score and a favorable commercial reputation from investments he made in a few small residential projects throughout New Hampshire.
The first property that caught Sanford’s eye in Biddeford was a large building owned by Herve and Romeo Binette on the corner of South and Elm streets.
“It was in tough shape, but I thought it had good bones,” Sanford said. “The very best part was that it had a ‘For Sale’ sign out front,” he laughed.
It was another owner-financed opportunity, and once again Sanford had to scramble and push all his chips to the center of the table to make the purchase work.
STILL WORKING THE PHONE | Doug Sanford takes a quick phone call during our interview at Time & Tides on Main Street in Biddeford (Photo by Randy Seaver)
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A little old lady who played piano
The only tenant that came with the building was an older woman who had actually been born and raised in the very same apartment on the building’s second-floor.
“She had one of those old Kerosene stoves that was also the unit’s heating source,” he recalled, rolling his eyes. “That stove scared the [expletive] out of me. I thought I was going to lose my entire investment in some terrible fire.”
According to Sanford, his new elderly tenant would often visit area nursing homes and play piano to entertain convalescent patients.
“You’re not going to believe this,” Sanford says, whispering and leaning over the table at the Time & Tides coffee shop on Main Street. “She only paid $25 per month in rent.”
“What the hell was I supposed to do?” he laughed, throwing his arms up in the air. “You think I’m going to evict a sweet little old lady who plays piano for senior citizens? Honest to God, she was literally born in that apartment. Talk about a public relations disaster.”
[At this point, we had to momentarily pause the interview because both Sanford and I were laughing so hard that it was difficult to speak.]
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She was only paying $25 per month in rent. You think I’m going to evict a sweet little old lady who plays piano for senior citizens? Honest to God, she was literally born in that apartment. Talk about a public relations disaster.”
— Doug Sanford
A passion for Biddeford | Despite the odds
Sanford’s legendary piece-by-piece approach to revitalizing Biddeford’s downtown core was anything but easy.
“The 1980s were a really difficult and challenging time for Biddeford,” Sanford recalled. “A lot of people were giving up hope about the city’s future.”
Even today, many of Biddeford’s older residents often reminisce about the heyday of downtown shopping on Main Street in the 1940s and 1950s, when retailers like Woolworth’s, Butler’s and Youland’s jewelry store catered to a growing population of hardworking and thrifty millworkers.
But as the popularity of suburban shopping malls – such as the Maine Mall in South Portland –continued to rise, Biddeford’s downtown retailers experienced declining revenues.
More heartbreaking was the hard reality that Biddeford’s once thriving downtown textile mills were now winding down, unable to keep pace with foreign imports and increasing government regulations.
Those mills were the central and driving force of Biddeford’s economy right up until the last remaining were laid off and the doors were permanently closed.
City leaders in the 1980s found themselves engulfed in a myriad of public policy challenges.
The textile mills – the city’s largest employer and taxpayer – were winding down and headed toward extinction.
New consumer shopping trends created a ripple-effect of bad news in the downtown area. Once thriving shops were now boarded up with “For Lease” signs plastered on plywood meant to deter vandals.
On top of all that, the mayor and city council were facing increasing pressure from state regulators about the municipal landfill that was located on the Andrews Road.
In retrospect, the city made the horrendous decision to allow the development of a trash-to-energy incinerator smack dab in the middle of a dying and neglected downtown.
“But who can really blame them?” asked one Biddeford resident, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “They were sold a bill of goods with all sorts of promises and guarantees. Hindsight is always 20-20.”
Biddeford embraced the MERC incinerator as a way to maybe help the struggling mills by offering ventilation steam for industrial heating capacity. MERC was going to be the city’s biggest taxpayer. They were going to create nearly 100 good-paying, union jobs.
The bad part? MERC became a regional trash incinerator, accepting municipal solid waste (MSW) from more than 23 other communities throughout Maine and New Hampshire.
The unending stench of burning trash – combined with frequent explosions created by improperly disposed propane tanks – set Biddeford on a collision course toward failure.
City politics descended into chaos. There was plenty of finger-pointing and even accusations of “good-old boys” selling their souls, hinting at corruption that was never proven.
From the outside, Biddeford looked like a war zone, a dysfunctional city unable to get out of its own way.
But Doug Sanford saw things differently.
A new path forward for Biddeford
“Yup, there were people who questioned my sanity,” Sanford laughed. “But I just couldn’t look away from the potential. I believed in the city of Biddeford even when so many leaders had stopped believing in Biddeford.”
Sanford started small and carefully. A building here and a building there, all the while developing solid working relationships with local and state officials.
He also forged relationships with community partners, including donations to nonprofit organizations throughout the city.
The legend is true: Sanford was eventually able to purchase the abandoned 380,000 square-foot North Dam mill complex – former home of the Biddeford Textile Company — for $1 per square-foot. But he was taking a huge personal risk.
“It was all on the line,” he recalled. “You know what they say? Go big or go home.”
Sanford had to rely on his own assets because commercial lenders had serious concerns about potential liability issues, especially because Sanford was preparing to renovate 150-year-old brick buildings along the shore of the Saco River.
“The banking guys looked at it as a liability, not an asset,” he said. “But I just decided to move forward.”
That was not Sanford’s last major investment in Biddeford.
It was all on the line. You know what they say? Go big or go home.”
When the Pepperell Mill closed a few years later, Sanford purchased that property, too. “The two mills shared the resources of a steam plant,” he explained.
Other – better financed — real estate developers also wanted that property. Even city leaders doubted Sanford’s ability to pull off such a large and complex investment.
Sanford – sometimes forced to fight tooth and nail with other developers and certain city officials — persisted and won.
He converted that former mill complex as a business incubator for several emerging local businesses such as Hyperlite and Angelrox.
Portland Pie Company later decided to offer a location in that building.
“The pieces fell together nicely,” Sanford said. “It was a big risk for me – and for the city of Biddeford. I’m glad it worked out.”
Just one month from today, Jessica Johnson of Biddeford will again be lacing up her sneakers and then taking in some giant breaths only moments before the start of the 130th annual Boston Marathon.
On Monday, April 20– Patriot’s Day, celebrated only in Maine and Massachusetts — Johnson will again do something that has only been accomplished by less than one half of one percent of the world’s population. She will run non-stop for 26.2 miles, a grueling endeavor that requires intense training and stamina.
But Jessica doesn’t run the marathon for glory, self-satisfaction or a really good work out.
Instead, Jessica trains throughout the year — on really hot days and on really cold days. On cloudy days and sunny days. In the rain, sleet or snow – all to honor the memory of her late mother, Dorothy Garnett, who died from cancer in 2002.
JESSICA JOHNSON (right) poses for a photo with legendary Boston Sports Broadcaster Dale Arnold during a recent fundraising event at the McArthur Library in Biddeford. (Seaver photo)
According to the Boston Athletic Association, the Boston Marathon is the oldest and most famous road racing event in the world, attracting runners and spectators from almost every continent.
There are many other marathons that take place around the world, but few are as storied or as grueling as the race that begins in the small town of Hopkinton, Mass., and then winds along Rte. 135 through the communities of Ashland, Framingham, Natick and Wellesley before the finish line near Copley Square in Boston.
And we didn’t even mention Heartbreak Hill, the legendary, sprit-breaking elevation that is located just six miles from the finish line.
“It’s tough,” Johnson admitted during an interview with the Gazette. “You really feel like you want to quit but you just keep going. I just keep running, close my eyes and think of my mom.”
Running in the Boston Marathon requires commitment and following rigorous standards including qualifying races for all official entrants.
“Jessica took those words to heart, and since that time, she has been an active force in the community, volunteering and helping in a multitude of ways, from assisting with organizing Biddeford’s marching band, to making color guard flags,” Cabral wrote.
“During the pandemic, Jessica took up running as a new passion, trained hard, and ran two marathons in 2022.
“She has since run the Boston Marathon to raise money for both the Museum of Science, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,” Cabral said.
Today, Jessica is a full-time middle school teacher at Massabesic Middle School.
In August, after a significant fire displaced and impacted three Biddeford families, Johnson jumped up and coordinated a local community relief effort that raised money, clothing and household supplies for families that lost almost everything in that fire.
Go out and do something good in the world.”
Now – as Cabral wrote last year – it’s time for Biddeford to rally around one of its hardest-working and most humble volunteers.
If you would like to donate to help Johnson raise money to fight cancer and honor the memory of her mother, simply click this Venmo link: Run For Research
Furthermore, every donation raised by Johnson, will be matched dollar for dollar by Capital One.
“Every donation helps,” Johnson said, wiping away a small tear while speaking with this reporter a few days ago at the McArthur Library. “Every little bit warms my heart and helps me live up to my mother’s last request to ‘go do something good.”
CORRECCTION | A previous version of this story indicated that Jessica Johnson is a teacher with the Biddeford School Department. Johnson is, in fact, a middle school teacher at Massabesic Middle School. It was a reporting error, and we sincerely apologize for any confusion it may have caused.
One of the coolest things about doing something for more than 30 years is the memories you make along the way.
As a political junkie – especially in regards to the city of Biddeford – it is extremely rewarding for me to have an archive of local political news that dates back nearly 30 years to the mid-1990s.
DISCLOSURE | Because he is now a political candidate in Biddeford, Sam Pecor no longer serves on the Biddeford Gazette’s Community Advisory Board.
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I am the only active reporter who remembers another young man who was also very excited about serving on Biddeford’s Charter Review Commission more than 10 years ago.
That young man won his election to the Charter Review Commission and used that opportunity to launch a successful political career. Today, that once enthusiastic teenager is the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.
In fairness, Ryan Fecteau actually started his political career as a student representative on the Biddeford School Committee while attending Biddeford High School.
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My wife, Laura – the Gazette’s publisher – was serving on the school committee at that time, and she was designated to be Fecteau’s coach and advisor.
That is one of our strengths at the Biddeford Gazette. We have unmatched institutional knowledge about the city of Biddeford, its politics and its people.
The Gazette can use and rely on that knowledge to offer our readers valuable context to important stories that impact our community.
I got thinking about all of this because the Gazette is still working on a feature story about Chuck Cote of Biddeford and his dedication to building and maintaining a fascinating archive of Biddeford’s sports and political history, especially when it comes to the former St. Louis High School.
The working title of that upcoming story is Taking A Walk Down Biddeford’s Memory Lane.
We interviewed Chuck last week. Why is it taking so long to publish a story that we know is being highly anticipated by many of our readers?
Primarily, because that story is complex and we consider it to be very important. Moreover, we care much more about doing a good job rather than doing a quick job.
What a long, strange trip it’s been
The Gazette’s historical archive comes primarily from my days as a reporter and editor for the Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier from 1997 to 2006; as a freelance reporter for Saco Bay News (2023-2024) and from my personal blog, All Along the Watchtower that started in 1999 as a weekly column in the Courier and continued until I launched the Biddeford Gazette in Nov. 2024
CAUTION | My personal website is somewhat messy and in the process of being revamped, so please temper your expectations. It also contains coarse language.
A MUCH YOUNGER EDITOR | Randy Seaver reports from the roof of Biddeford City Hall in 2000 about the efforts to save the Lincoln Mill Clocktower that has been now wiped away from the city’s skyline
There is other stuff on my website, dating back to the early 1980s when I was working as a temporary, non-paid, student intern at the Journal Tribune, Biddeford’s former daily newspaper.
There is also stuff there from my days as collaborative research reporter and communications director for the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, a non-profit that covered fisheries in the Gulf of Maine and my time as senior associate at Barton & Gingold, one of Maine’s most respected political and public policy consulting firms.
While working at Barton & Gingold, I really enjoyed playing a role in shaping public policy issues that were sometimes controversial.
CONSULTANT RANDY SEAVER is flanked by former Biddeford City Manager John Bubier (left) and David Flood, publisher of Mainely Media (right) during a meeting at the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce about a new federal health insurance tax proposal in 2015.
Shortly after Barton & Gingold was sold in 2014, I launched my own political consulting firm, Randy Seaver Consulting.
I still operate my own consulting practice, but I do not work for any clients or projects that could be connected to the city of Biddeford. That would be a glaring and unacceptable conflict of interest.
In closing, if you so desire you can find my installment of my Then & Now updates (Ryan Fecteau) at this link | All The Young Dudes, Redux
CORRECTION | Though it is grossly ironic and thus difficult to admit, this story contained a typographical error regarding its own historical context. I worked as a freelance reporter at Saco Bay News from 2023 to 2024, not starting in 2003, before Saco Bay News even existed. I am fortunate and grateful that I can still rely on my former editor Liz Gotthelf and her eagle-eye and penchant for accuracy. In retrospect, perhaps it’s time for this old geezer to be put out to pasture. We sincerely apologize for the error.
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That’s our opinion, and we welcome yours. You may submit either a guest column of the same length or a letter to the editor by contacting us at biddefordgazette@gmail.com.
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I just learned from a reading a story in Saco Bay Newsthat Bill Johnson – a former Saco mayor and city councilor — recently passed away at the age of 92.
This news leaves a gaping hole. I regret losing touch with Bill.
He was such a kind and wise man, and he always offered sage and measured advice. I first met him almost 30 years ago after he had just been elected to transition from serving as a Ward One councilor to becoming the city’s mayor in 1997.
He was a new mayor, and I was a new reporter in Saco, despite having grown up in that city.
Bill Johnson (left) receives a service award from Saco Mayor Ron Michaud (Portland Press Herald)Fomer mayor Bill Johnson photo from City of Saco annual report)Bill and his wife, Mary, after donating two of their beloved donkeys to Sweetser (Sweetser photo)
Bill took me under his wing and offered me advice with his warm grin and elder-statesmen sense of discipline. He was always quick to smile and had a deep laugh.
He said he was happy to be working with a reporter who had a long and personal connection to the city.
We reporters are trained to not become personally connected to the government officials they cover, but I could not help myself.
Bill was just so decent, kind and patient — a perfect grandfather of sorts. He leaves behind a legacy of public service, a love for his community and a reputation for hard work and dedication to his family.
Bill was one of a kind; a man equally comfortable in a suit and tie at some government function; or wearing a flannel shirt and wandering Saco’s northwestern rural and pastoral neighborhoods.
Bill was just so decent, kind and patient — a perfect grandfather of sorts
The late 1990s were not the best of times for Saco. There was plenty of political tension, and Bill’s job as mayor was anything but easy.
The city was still rebounding from serious and consequential financial difficulties, but Bill was the right leader at the right time. He was quiet, measured and thoughtful. He never spoke an unkind word about anyone.
Bill Johnson will be missed . . . by me and by everyone who ever had the good fortune to cross paths with him.
Godspeed, Mr. Mayor.
May you eternally rest in peace, and may your memory never be forgotten, especially in the city you loved.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor of the Biddeford Gazette. He also was a reporter who covered the city of Saco from 1997 to 2006 for the Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier and as a freelance reporter for Saco Bay News from 2023 to 2024.
NOTE: Some photos in this story were used without expressed permission. Those photos are attributed to their original source, but may be removed, if necessary.
DISCLOSUSURE | Randy Seaver’s stepsister, Jodi MacPhail, currently serves as mayor of Saco.
Members of the Biddeford High School Tigers Unified Basketball Team faced their opponents Thursday with steely gazes and wide grins.
The Biddeford Tigers take the court just before the start of Thursday’s season final in Sanford (Seaver photo)
It was a thrilling game that ended the regular season for the Unified Basketball program in southern Maine.
The Tigers traveled to Sanford and took on the mighty Spartans with determination and grit, and when the final buzzer sounded, Biddeford walked off the court with a solid 90 – 84 win.
“We took it the end with Brandon Lambert throwing several three-pointers and teammates Bentley and Ayden continuously scoring their two-pointer shots back-to-back,” said Biddeford Coach Lauren Cote.
“We finished the season with a bang,” the coach said excitedly just minutes after the final buzzer.
Junior Dexter Orifice (27) celebrates a teammate’s two-pointer (Seaver photo)
Both teams offered a packed house of spectators a thrilling sporting event that encapsulated the spirit of players who each demonstrated pure, unfiltered joy in simply being able to play on the hardwood in front of their cheering parents, friends and family members.
An enthusiastic crowd of supporters enjoyed Thursday’s game (Seaver photo)
Players from both teams offered each other numerous high-fives and exploding fist bumps. The smiles were unmistakable, and the Tiger Pride spirit filled the Sanford gymnasium.
The Spartans also played their hearts out and were able to repeatedly close some big gaps as Biddeford’s offense capitalized on vulnerabilities under the boards.
The Spartans never slowed or showed any diminishing enthusiasm. They deployed some stunning break-away defensive moves that gave them opportunities for another drive down the court for wide open two-pointers.
Every picture tells a story (Photo by Coach Lauren Cote)
Cote and fellow coach Craig Chamberlain both said the Tigers had “a great season with many wins and some losses also, but our players and partners always go into a game with the greatest team spirit and they always play to the best of their abilities,” Cote said.
“They love the game so much — with all of their hearts and Tiger Pride shines through every time,” the coach added. “We are so proud of every single one of them.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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The York/Biddeford/Old Orchard Beach Boys Hockey Co-Op hockey team won the state championship today, defeating Hampden Academy 3-2 in a thrilling game at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
The team has earned rounds of praise from throughout the Biddeford community, including congratulatory remarks on social media platforms by Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain and School Supt Jeremey Ray.
Below are photos shared with the Gazette from Eric Parent of Biddeford, one of the proud parents who attended today’s game!
The new state champs celebrate with their coaches on the ice (Photo provided by Eric Parent of Biddeford)
Connor Parent (left) celebrates Saturday’s championship win with Goalie Connor Thibault (Photo by Eric Parent)
The Biddeford Fire Department helped the new state champs celebrate (Eric Parent photo)
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Spring and summer 2026 are right around the corner. In fact, Daylight Saving Time begins on March 8. Along with melting snow, muddy driveways and yards, and the first flowers of the season, another familiar trend returns to Biddeford: an increase in door-to-door sales.
Each year brings a new wave of sales pitches—solar panels, replacement windows, driveway or roof repairs, house painting, “faster and better internet,” and whatever the latest sales trend happens to be.
It’s the season of door-to-door salespeople
While researching this article, we quickly realized how complicated the issue of door-to-door solicitation can be.
What started as a simple topic turned into a deep dive into city ordinances, state regulations and company practices. Before getting into the details, there’s one key takeaway everyone should remember:
Never invite strangers into your home, and don’t be afraid to say “No, thank you.”
During my research for this story, I spoke with a young woman who knocked on my door and was very persistent about selling solar panels.
To be fair, she seemed polite and professional—much more so than many door-to-door salespeople I’ve encountered. However, it became clear that she likely knew little beyond the basic instructions she had been given: knock on doors, promote solar panels, and try to earn commission.
Through her, I was eventually able to speak with one of her supervisors. That conversation led me to even more research—and more confusion.
I already knew this wasn’t accurate, because the city website lists the companies currently allowed to solicit. Still, it’s very possible she simply didn’t know.
Many companies that rely on door-to-door sales—regardless of the industry—hire temporary local workers, often younger people or college students looking for flexible ways to earn money.
They’re given a clipboard and sometimes a bright vest to appear official, then sent out to knock on doors.
One company involved in these efforts is Freedom Forever, which is currently in the process of merging with another solar company, VITL Power. However, neither company is currently registered to solicit in Biddeford.
Both companies previously held licenses but allowed them to expire or canceled them—VITL Power in June 2025 and Freedom Forever in April 2024.
During a phone call with a manager from Freedom Forever/VITL Power, Owen Haglund stated that the company operates in Maine as “commercial travelers” or “transient sellers,” and therefore believes they do not need a solicitation permit in Biddeford.
However, according to the Maine Attorney General’s website, transient sellers must still be licensed by the stateand must follow the regulations of any municipality where they operate.
Which companies are permitted to knock on doors in Biddeford?
Biddeford City Clerk Robin Patterson confirmed that neither Freedom Forever nor VITL Power is currently permitted to solicit within the city. She also clarified that even transient sellers must obtain permits for each employee who plans to go door-to-door under the city’s ordinance.
Residents can check the city website at any time to see which companies are properly permitted.
The city website also advises residents to ask to see a solicitor’s permit. Anyone legally going door-to-door is required to carry one.
A sample of the permit is available on the website so residents know what to look for.
If you believe someone is soliciting without a permit, behaving aggressively, or failing to provide a required buyer’s rights statement, residents can contact the Biddeford Police Department’s non-emergency line at 207-282-5127.
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Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk emphasized one key safety point during our conversation: never allow a solicitor into your home.
When asked about “No Solicitation” signs, Fisk noted that signs can help discourage law-abiding salespeople, but many solicitors simply ignore them.
In most cases, door-to-door solicitation is regulated by city ordinance rather than criminal law. However, that doesn’t mean problems can’t arise—which is why it’s important to keep interactions at the door and never invite strangers inside.
Fisk also encouraged residents to review both the city’s solicitation ordinance and the information provided by the Maine Attorney General’s Office to better understand their rights as consumers.
So, here’s the short version:
Door-to-door solicitation in Biddeford can be frustrating, but it isn’t going away.
The city has rules in place to regulate it, and reputable companies will follow those rules. Those regulations are designed to protect residents.
However, residents also need to take steps to protect themselves. Don’t invite solicitors into your home, ask to see permits when appropriate and know your rights under the city ordinance.
Salespeople are supposed to show their permit. They’re supposed to respect your decision if you say no. And if you do sign a contract, there are specific consumer protections they must follow before work can begin.
A “No Solicitation” sign can help, but it’s not a guarantee.
As the saying goes, signs keep honest people honest—just like locks keep honest people out.
In the end, the best protection is simple: know your rights, use common sense and don’t be afraid to close the door.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Jim Krause is a freelance writer living in Biddeford. He can be contacted at jiggyjim@live.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
Despite the well-known urban legend that no cop can resist a donut, several witnesses who attended Wednesday’s Coffee With a Cop event at the Biddeford Community Center say none of the officers even touched one of the fine donuts that were provided by Reilly’s Bakery.
Wednesday’s event was coordinated by Recreation Director Lisa Thompson who said she was pleased by the robust public turnout for the event.
Lt. Normand Allaire; Deputy Chief Steve Gorton and Police Chief JoAnne Fisk answered a variety of questions and offered some sage advice, including the hazards of distracted driving. (Seaver photo)
“This is something that has been done in many other communities across the country,” Thompson said. “Many communities – including right here in Biddeford – host Night Out events and other ways to get residents better connected to the law enforcement officers who serve the community.”
Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk, Deputy Chief Steve Gorton and Lt. Normand Allaire attended the event, fielding a variety of questions from the public and then later posing for photos with folks who were anxious to have their picture taken with a uniformed officer.
“It’s a lot of fun for us, and we enjoy the opportunity to connect with people in the friendly way – in a more relaxed and casual setting,” Gorton said. “Things like this are really the foundation of community policing.”
Roughly 25 people attended the 90-minute event, and the questions were rapid-fire and sometimes complex.
The officers answered questions on topics ranging from appropriate medication disposal to traffic accident investigations and how police handle protection from harassment orders.
Officers pose with a few of the residents who attended the Coffee With a Cop event (Seaver photo)
The mood in the room was friendly. And residents listened intently – even when officers were forced to decline talking about specific personal matters or ongoing investigations.
Officers also shared some of their pet peeves.
“For goodness’s sake, please put down your phones when you’re driving behind the wheel,” Allaire told the group of residents. “Even, when I’m off duty, I see it happening all the time – and I yell out ‘somebody call the police.’
Thompson said she was pleased that the event proved popular and said she would like to do another event with the officers.
“I always think it’s a good idea for us to collaborate with other city departments to promote community engagement and hopefully increase understanding of what’s happening in our city.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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A Grassroots Celebration of Food, Flavor & Community — with a New Digital Passport
Contributed Story | Heart of Biddeford
From bánh mì to barbecue, specialty coffee to steak frites, arcade combos to raclette, Biddeford–Saco Restaurant Week returns March 15–22, 2026, inviting residents and visitors to explore the region’s dynamic and ever-growing food scene.
Organized by Saco Main Street, Heart of Biddeford, and the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce, Restaurant Week in Biddeford and Saco has its own personality — distinct from statewide programs that focus primarily on prix-fixe dinners.
Biddeford-Saco Restaurant Week returns March 15 – 22 (Photo: Heart of Biddeford)
“Our Restaurant Week is a little more grassroots,” said Delilah Poupore, executive director of Heart of Biddeford. “Not all of our food businesses are sit-down restaurants. We have breweries, bakeries, sandwich shops, sushi counters, an arcade, coffee roasters — you name it. So we leave room for creativity in how businesses participate.” Saco’s executive director, Angie Presby added, “Honestly, we may need to rename it ‘Foodie Week’ because it’s about restaurants but so much more.”
That flexibility allows each business to design an offering that fits their style, their space, and their customers.
A Taste of This Year’s Offerings
With more than 20 participating businesses, Restaurant Week highlights the full spectrum of the local food scene. Diners can find everything from raclette poured over toasted baguette at Nibblesford to a secret Peruvian Steak Frites special at Magnus on Water, comfort classics like Frito Pie at Ore Nell’s Barbecue, and creative multi-course meals at Jin Sushi and Ramen.
Nibblesford in Biddeford will be one of more than 20 participating businesses in this year’s event.
It’s not just restaurants, though. Participants can enjoy bracket-style “Mocha Madness” at Time & Tide Coffee, gameplay-and-dinner combo deals at Rift Arcade, and special deals at Banded Brewing Co. The range reflects what makes Biddeford and Saco unique: a food culture that blends serious culinary talent with creativity, comfort, and fun.
New in 2026: The Brightr Passport
To encourage diners to explore multiple locations, this year introduces the Brightr Restaurant Week Passport — a simple, web-based experience (no app required).
Customers register by scanning a QR code displayed at participating businesses. Once registered, they can view all Restaurant Week offerings and “check in” at each location they visit by scanning that business’ unique QR code. Each day of Restaurant Week, one winner will be randomly selected from that day’s Passport check-ins to receive a $25 gift card, for a total of eight daily winners. At the end of the week, one participant who checked in at three or more businesses will be awarded the $100 grand prize.
Alex MacPhail, the executive director of the Biddeford Saco Chamber explains, “The more places that participants explore, the more chances they have to win — and the more local businesses they support!”
Restaurant Week also features two dynamic ticketed events that bring the community together in creative and unexpected ways.
Food Collider: March 12
An early kick-off to Restaurant Week, the Food Collider transforms Pizza by Alex into a one-night pop-up gallery and storytelling experience. Presented by Art of Biddeford in partnership with Pizza by Alex, the March 12 event blends art, food, and story inside one of Biddeford’s most iconic spaces.
Part art exhibition, part live gathering, each ticket includes pizza nibbles, entry to a curated food-themed gallery, and eight creative “collisions” — five-minute presentations weaving together storytelling, music, history, and reflections on everything from family tables to farms to the systems that bring food to our plates. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Biddeford Food Pantry.
FYOOD Cooking Competition: March 18
BRCOT culinary students will be participating in this year’s event
The week continues with FYOOD (pronounced “feud”), a high-energy cooking competition hosted at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology Culinary Program kitchen.
Amateur home chefs team up to face off in two mystery ingredient challenges (one savory, one sweet) with just one hour to create and plate their dishes before a panel of professional chefs, local personalities, and Culinary Program Director Chef Steve.
Audience members enjoy front-row views from the dining room, a live video feed from inside the kitchen, and a made-to-order pasta meal from the culinary students.
Meanwhile, competitors battle for the FYOOD trophy and serious bragging rights. Limited to four teams, the event highlights both the creativity of local home cooks and the real-world experience gained by BRCOT culinary students preparing and serving guests in a fast-paced environment.
Tickets and team registrations for both events are available via Eventbrite.
More Than a Meal
Biddeford–Saco Restaurant Week is about connection as much as cuisine. It’s about supporting small businesses, celebrating creativity, and giving people a reason to explore both downtowns — one check-in, one meal, one shared table at a time.
For the full list of participating businesses and complete details, visit the official Restaurant Week webpage
David Kurtz takes in a deep breath – pauses – and looks away, toward the coffee shop’s window before answering one of our questions during an informal and candid interview.
Kurtz, 39, is one of the three new Biddeford city councilors who were each first elected to office in November.
Despite the relaxed setting on a Tuesday afternoon at the Time & Tides coffee shop on Main Street, Kurtz approaches our questions with the same style of deliberative and thoughtful responses that are becoming his public trademark.
He is a serious man but is also equally funny and somewhat self-deprecating.
Biddeford City Councilor David Kurtz (Seaver photo)
Our hour-long conversation is free-wheeling. At times the mood is light and jovial. But Kurtz also doesn’t pull any punches when talking about growing up as “a geek” with divorced parents in southern Maine.
And he is as serious as a heart attack when discussing some of the issues now facing the city of Biddeford.
“There is absolutely no question,” he said. “We need to do better, but I also think we’re on the right track.”
Kurtz’s childhood was much less than anything that could be described as idyllic. His father struggled with a drug addiction. His mother did her best to raise her son alone on a meager income.
Despite those somewhat gritty circumstances, Kurtz heaped praise on both of his parents.
“They both loved and supported me unconditionally,” he recalled. “They were doing the best that they could do. Yes, my father had a substance use disorder, but he read to me every night when I visited him on weekends or vacation days.”
Here are three things everyone should know about David Kurtz.
First, he wore open-toed sandals to the interview, despite piles of frozen snow on the sidewalks and mid-February freezing temperatures.
A few hours later, he was dressed in a jacket and necktie for a meeting with his constituents at City Hall to discuss priorities for the city’s recreational assets. No sandals. Polished shoes.
Secondly, Kurtz worked in a liquor store when he was just 17 years old. “I looked more like 39 back then, than I do today,” he laughed.
Finally, Kurtz is often accompanied by his mother, Cynthia, during public events, including last week’s ward meeting and while enjoying the city’s annual downtown Winterfest celebration.
Sometimes people need to be willing to grab a shovel and help pick up some shit.”
In his very first bid for public office, Kurtz was unopposed in his quest for the council’s Ward Five seat.
Kurtz received 553 votes – a little less than 73 percent of the total ballots cast in that council race. According to the city clerk’s office, 211 voters in Ward Five left that particular ballot choice blank.
Ward Five – previously represented by Neva Lance, Julian Schlaver, Victoria Foley and Amy Clearwater – includes the city’s downtown area and a sprawling collection of repurposed former mill buildings.
While Biddeford is, in fact, Maine’s youngest city (35.6 median age), Ward Five is also arguably the most diverse, youngest and politically progressive of Biddeford’s seven voting wards.
Kurtz is a corporate lawyer. He graduated from the University of Southern Maine’s Law School in 2016.
Today, Kurtz is employed as a corporate lawyer for Robert S. Gitmeid & Associates, a New York-based firm with offices in all 50 states. Kurtz runs the firm’s Maine and Vermont offices.
Kurtz “shares a bed and custody of two cats” with his girlfriend, Dani, a veterinarian. The couple lives in a newly constructed residential building on Upper Falls Road (formerly Gooch Street).
Meet the new guy
Kurtz takes a sip from his coffee as we begin the Q & A portion of our meeting.
“Okay, I’m ready,” he laughed. “Let me have it.”
You double-majored in economics and bio chemistry at Hampshire College. Bio chemistry?
“All my friends were pre-med. I couldn’t keep up with their conversations, so I decided to try a new tact.” (Laughs)
How and why did you get involved in city politics?
“I served on the Recycling & Waste Management Commission. I found it fascinating. I got to work closely with [Public Works Director] Jeff Demers. Man, that guy knows a lot.”
“On that committee, I worked alongside [city councilors] Brad Cote, Jake Pierson and Abigail Woods and with Liam [LaFountain] before he became mayor.”
You’re not a Biddeford native.
“No. Almost, but not quite.” (Laughs) “I wasn’t born here, and I’m a bit self-conscious about that. I am from Maine, if that helps. (Laughs). My dad lived in Biddeford. My mom lived in Kennebunk. I commuted between the two communities during my childhood.”
You say you grew up in a financially challenged household, yet you ended up at Waynflete, a prestigious private high school. How did that happen? Good grades?
“Exactly. I was as shocked as anyone that I got in.”
Serving on the city council is often a thankless and tedious endeavor. Did you think it through before taking out nomination papers?
“Oh sure. I talked with [former Mayor] Marty Grohman and Norm [Belanger] and Liam – the three guys running for mayor. They didn’t try to talk me out of it.”
What motivated you to run?
“I saw where the city was heading, and I had my own concerns, I’m of the belief that sometimes people need to be willing to grab a shovel and help pick up some shit.”
What are your current committee assignments?
“I serve on the Policy Committee, the Citizens Advisory Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. I also serve as the city council liaison on both the Biddeford Housing Authority and the Heart of Biddeford.”
You’re keeping busy.
“Pretty much. I also have a pretty time-consuming job. Dani and I are planning a vacation in 2028.” (Laughs)
You seem to be a good fit for this particular ward.
“Well. Thank you for that, kind sir. I feel at home in this ward. Many of my constituents are just like me – – relatively new arrivals in the city. I want to make sure their voices are heard.”
Future political plans?
“Nope. This is the end of the line for me.”
Your father read to you nightly. What books?
“Rudyard Kipling, Robert Heinlen, Issac Asimov – all the good Jewish writers.” (Laughs)
Hobbies? Background?
“I’m a big fan of long-distance hiking. I was actually a ‘ridge runner’ with the Appalachian Mountain Club.”
Is gentrification a concern for Biddeford?
“I think so, and I’m part of the issue. Higher-income, newer professional resident. We have to work through it without denying the challenges.”
You describe yourself as a “political leftie.” What’s your mission statement as a city councilor?
“I want the lowest taxes possible without cutting essential services.”
Note:The Biddeford Gazette will be conducting similar interviews with the other eight members of the city council over the next few weeks.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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ALFRED, Maine – On a recent Saturday as the Mass at York County Jail neared its end, those eligible for Holy Communion moved to partake. Others were asked by Bishop Robert Deeley if they would like a blessing, and several residents stepped forward with their arms crossed on their chests, as instructed. He smiled at each one as he made the sign of the cross.
A York County Jail resident receives a blessing administered by Bishop Robert Deeley, who says Mass at the jail once a month for inmates who sign up to attend. While retired from administrative duties since 2024, he remains a priest and a Bishop and says Mass weekdays in his home parish.(Courtesy photo)
It was a special moment in an hour of special moments, as 17 general population jail inmates – some sentenced, some awaiting trial – took part in the Mass, repeating the familiar, and to some, not so familiar readings, and listening as Bishop Deeley delivered the homily.
Catholic Prison Ministry, a joint initiative of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Sanford and The Brothers of Christian Instruction in Alfred, has provided a regular Catholic presence at York County Jail since 2018, after planning for a year, said member Raymond Wallace.
“They need to know what they’ve done is not who they are,” said Wallace of jail residents. “God has a better plan.”
The prison ministry group had long desired a Saturday evening Mass for inmates, but, as Bishop Deeley noted, Saturdays are busy times for priests, who regularly say Mass on Saturday evenings in their own parishes. Deeley retired from his administrative duties when James Ruggieri was appointed Bishop of Portland in 2024, but he remains a Bishop and a priest and recently began offering the Saturday evening Mass at the jail once a month.
Brother Henry Monday, left, of the Brothers of Christian Instruction in Alfred, and Bishop Robert Deeley take part in a recent Mass at York County Jail.
Having Mass at the jail requires additional corrections officers to provide security, said Sheriff Bill King, and staffing levels are challenging so he, and Jail Administrator Maj. Lori Marks or an alternate attend to ensure the service is not cancelled. “It is truly an honor to have a retired Bishop come to the jail and celebrate mass,” King said. He said several inmates have become regular attendees and seem to have developed a connection with the Bishop – who recognizes “the regulars.”
Many of those attending on a recent Saturday weren’t Catholic – the Bishop said most aren’t. They listened and participated respectfully.
“I emphasize to the inmates how fortunate they are to have a Bishop celebrating mass at the jail,” said King. “Even amongst the non-Catholics, they seem to recognize the Bishop’s importance to the Catholic faith.”
York County Jail has an average daily population of about 230 people, who hail from many walks of life. Religious or spiritual services are offered to the majority of the jail population, who sign up to attend, said King.
He said groups like Catholic Prison Ministry provide mentorship. “I’ve seen where people released relied on them for guidance,” King said.
In addition to the Mass, Brother Henry Monday is a regular visitor to the jail, and is often sought out by residents for counsel, Bishop Deeley said.
Brother Monday put it simply: “When we come together, we are all children of God,” he said.
There are other services and opportunities for religious and spiritual counsel. Maj. Marks, the jail administrator, said Calvary Chapel hosts a Tuesday Bible study at the jail.
Rabbi Levi Wilansky is available to provide guidance to those of the Jewish faith, said King.
And York County Jail provides the services of a chaplain.
“Unlike chaplains in state facilities who often have the chance to build longer-term relationships, county jail chaplaincy mostly involves short-term care, meeting people facing an uncertain future and planting seeds of hope that may hopefully grow later,” said Chaplain Trent Boyd. “The Chaplain does their best to support each inmate’s right to practice their faith and to request reasonable accommodations for sincere beliefs.”
Bishop Robert Deeley, shown here greeting a York County Jail resident, is retired from his administrative work for the Diocese of Portland but remains a Bishop and priest, and says Mass once a month at York County Jail.
Boyd said chaplains listen, care, and are there to offer hope.
“A county jail chaplain tries to bring what we call “a ministry of presence” into the jail,” Boyd said.
On a winter Saturday evening, as the Mass was said, there was a warmth and a sense of peace and goodwill in the meeting room.
“I hope, through our presence with them, and having the Mass, they will know that whatever has gone wrong in their lives does not remove them from the love of God,” Bishop Deeley said of those who attend. “Remember that Jesus reached out to the prisoner next to him on Calvary. That prisoner is today in heaven. In whatever way we can help the people in the jail to know they are of great worth, and capable of doing great things, we have fulfilled our mission.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Tammy Wells is a media specialist with York County government. You may reach her at tlwells@yorkcountymaine.gov
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UNE dental students again provided free care to local students; Rep. Ryan Fecteau introduced a bill to expand dental coverage for Maine children.
Contributed stories
Students from the University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine and Department of Dental Hygiene welcomed 85 elementary students from Old Orchard Beach to the university’s Oral Health Center on Friday, Feb. 6, for UNE’s fifth annual “Give Kids a Smile” event.
According to organizers, the Old Orchard Beach students received a full slate of preventive dental services at no cost, including cleanings, fluoride treatments, protective sealants, and oral health education.
Students from the University of New England’s dental school provided cleaning and other dental services to 85 Old Orchard Beach elementary school students. This is the fifth year that UNE has participated in the annual cleaning Give Kids A Smile event. (Contributed photo)
The services were delivered by UNE dental medicine and dental hygiene students working together in clinical teams. Each child also received a take-home oral care kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and educational materials to support healthy habits beyond the visit.
The one-day event provided more than $14,000 in free dental care, helping remove barriers to access while introducing families to ongoing resources available through UNE’s Oral Health Center, located on UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences — the only fully integrated health sciences campus of its kind in New England.
“Untreated dental disease can lead to severe pain that impacts a child’s ability to eat and drink properly, disrupts their sleep patterns, affects their concentration, and contributes to changes in behavior,” said Nicole Kimmes, D.D.S., dean of the UNE College of Dental Medicine. “By hosting events like Give Kids a Smile, we improve access and education for the children of Maine and decrease the number impacted by these conditions right in our home communities.”
The now-annual event is part of a national Give Kids a Smile initiative coordinated by the American Dental Association, during which dentists and dental students across the country provide care to underserved children.
At UNE, the program has grown steadily since its launch in 2020 and continues to reflect the University’s commitment to improving community health while preparing future providers through hands-on, team-based learning.
“This experience, with dental hygiene and dental students working together to deliver care to children, enhances communication and delivers more comprehensive oral health education to the children coming to visit the OHC today,” said Dianne Smallidge, RDH, Ed.D., director of the undergraduate Department of Dental Hygiene at UNE.
Alexander Dyke, a UNE student who is scheduled to graduate later this year, is planning to pursue a pediatric residency. He said events like Give Kids a Smile benefit both families and students.
“The work we’re doing today is extremely important in providing underserved populations get the care they otherwise wouldn’t have,” Dyke said. “It also means that I get experience, and it means other students get experience. “We get to work with faculty and see their input on the type of ways they would go about doing that — it broadens my horizons and increases the tools in my toolbox.”
Fecteau introduces bill to expand access to dental care
Earlier this week, State Rep. Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) introduced a bill to improve dental access care for children.
Fecteau’s bill – LD 2123 — seeks to modify the MaineCare Reimbursement Methodology for the provision of anesthesia for certain dental services.
Fecteau – who is currently serving as Speaker of the House – says his bill will hopefully address a growing backlog of children awaiting care for dental issues.
The legislation proposes a targeted increase to MaineCare reimbursement rates for anesthesia services provided to children at ambulatory surgery centers treating at least 50 percent for MaineCare patients. As a result, Fecteau said these centers will be able to continue their operations, increase capacity, and reduce wait times.
“Access to care is critical. Too many Maine children are suffering with tooth pain because of the limited options for care,” Fecteau said. “This bill is a key step that will help ease just a little bit of that suffering and make it more feasible for other ambulatory surgery centers to expand services for MaineCare patients.”
According to Fecteau, many children receiving MaineCare lack a “dental home,” meaning they do not have a dentist they see regularly for cleanings and other preventative care. Without this routine maintenance, curable issues – things like cavities – turn into surgical events, with long waits for care.
“No child should have to suffer in pain because of their insurance status when treatment is available,” said Becca Matusovich, Executive Director of the Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine. “LD 2123 is one important element of a comprehensive strategy to address dental disease among Maine children who have been unable to access dental care.”
The Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled to consider Fecteau’s bill in the coming weeks.
Note: This story was updated with a correction: The UNE event in Portland took place on Friday, Feb. 6, not Thursday. We apologize for the error.
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Alan Bennett, Assistant Director of Communications at the University of New England, contributed to this story
How do you know you’ve been covering Biddeford news for a long, long time?
I have covered the city’s annual WinterFest celebration since — well – since before it was called WinterFest.
Biddeford’s annual downtown winter celebration was the brainchild of newly elected Mayor Alan Casavant in 2012.
Casavant — who was also serving as a state representative back then –had attended a community dog-sledding event and celebration in Fort Kent.
“I was really impressed by the community turnout,” the former mayor said during a recent interview. “It wasn’t just dog-sledding and races, they had lots of different activities. It really brought people together.”
Casavant returned home full of optimism and ideas about how Biddeford could do something similar.
Let her rip! Former mayor Alan Casavant tackles the man-made sledding hill on Adam’s Street during the very first WinterFest celebration in February 2012. The annual festival was then known as L Fete d’ Hiver
The city was in the early stages of a downtown renaissance, and Casavant was eager to draw people back to the downtown area — even though MERC was still burning garbage roughly 1,200 feet away from the first man-made sledding hill on Adams Street and the fact that there were then fewer than 438 places in downtown Biddeford to get gourmet coffee, craft beers and specialty pizzas.
Casavant enlisted the help of resident John Maxson who jumped into the project with both feet and a smile that never faded until his passing several years ago. Maxson’s memory and community service is enshrined by a bronze plaque that was placed on the outside wall of City Hall near Adams Street.
Originally, the celebration was called La Fete d’ Hiver, a nod to the city’s then dominant Franco-American heritage.
The first festival exceeded expectations for community turnout, and the weekend celebration was later expanded and became more popular with each passing year and a growing base of volunteers.
But by the third year, the name La Fete’ d’ Hiver was dropped and replaced with a more inclusive moniker: WinterFest, much easier for most of us to pronounce and spell.
Look, my family attended Mass at St. Mary’s, not St. Andre’s or St. Joseph’s.
When my parents bought their first home in Saco, I served as an altar boy at Most Holy Trinity, not Notre Dame.
I graduated from Thornton Academy, not St. Louis High School.
I knew just enough French to get in trouble and flirt with local girls. Et, pourquoi pas?
I’m not trying to position myself as the defender of Biddeford’s Franco-American heritage. Growing up in Saco, we made jokes about French people.
Laura and I were getting our groove on during the city’s first WinterFest celebration in 2012
It should also be noted that Biddeford’s cultural roots are not just pure-bred French Canadian. Our community was also built by immigrant factory workers who came here from Ireland, Greece, Albania and numerous other countries, including Syria, Russia and Italy.
When it comes to cultural diversity, Biddeford pretty much knocks it out of the park.
But I do feel sad and a bit troubled by the gentrification now taking place in my community.
What’s next? Are we going to rename the city’s annual La Kermesse celebration as SummerFest?
I think the Lincoln Hotel lobby is fantastic and a wonderful place to meet friends. I enjoy hanging out at Element’s and drinking really good beer at Sacred Profane.
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But I do feel sad and a bit troubled
by the gentrification now taking place
in my community.
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But like many other people, I do so sometimes wax nostalgic about getting new school clothes at Butler’s, eating at the Woolworth’s lunch counter or browsing the vast collection of records at Murphy’s Music.
The once vibrant shoe factory on State Street is now an apartment complex. You no longer get your local groceries at Sevigny’s Market and charge your purchases to your weekly slip.
You blissfully ignored whatever it was that would periodically spew forth directly into the river from the Saco Tannery.
There will be many activities for adults and children throughout the weekend, but the downtown sledding hill remains as a favorite among area children. (Photo by Devin Wright)
There was no Home Depot. You went to McKenney & Heard Hardware on Main Street, You got your prescriptions at Doyon’s Pharmacy not Wal-Mart.
If you lived in Biddeford, your furniture came from Warren’s. If you lived in Saco, you probably bought your new dining set at Atkinson’s.
With each passing day, it is getting harder and harder for longtime residents to keep pace with soaring rental costs and restaurants that now cater to a younger, more affluent clientele.
People tell me all the time that they miss print newspapers like the Journal Tribune or the Biddeford-Saco Courier.
Nearly 128 million people are expected to watch Sunday’s Superbowl Championship game between the 17-3 New England Patriots and the 16-3 Seattle Seahawks.
One of those people who will be watching the Superbowl LX game on television is Biddeford’s relatively new city manager Truc Dever.
Dever relocated to Biddeford last summer from her home in Kirkland, Wash., a Seattle suburb where she served as that city’s public works director.
When asked Wednesday about which team she would be rooting for, Dever took in a deep breath and paused before offering her reply.
“I’m probably going to get in a lot of trouble for saying this, but I’ll be cheering for the Seahawks,” she admitted.
Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever (File Photo)
When asked to predict the game’s outcome, Dever laughed: “I’m probably in enough trouble already.”
Dever was previously asked a similar question last year, when she was interviewed by Biddeford Gazette reporter Jim Krause.
Disney’s Moana JR. is playing at Biddeford Middle School’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, and Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. each evening.
The 60-minute musical, adapted from the book by Susan Soon He Stanton and the 2016 Disney animated film, brings the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. The Biddeford Middle School Drama Club’s cast includes 85 students led by Coleen Hatt and Rob Petit.
“Much like Moana’s journey, this production is about courage, curiosity, and discovering your own voice. Our students have taken creative risks, supported one another, and grown tremendously throughout this process,” said BMS Drama Teacher Coleen Hatt. “Performing for a live audience brings that journey full circle, and we hope our community will join us in celebrating their hard work, growth, and the joy of storytelling on stage.”
Moana JR. tells the story of Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within. With empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, Moana JR. is sure to bring out the hero within each of us.
Moana JR. features all the beloved songs from the film, written by Tony®, GRAMMY, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, including “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome,” with orchestration adapted and arranged by Ian Weinberger.
Both shows are open to the public with donations accepted at the door. Seating is general admission, and doors will open at 6: p.m. The Facebook event can be found at https://bit.ly/4k5LAvQ.
Disney’s Moana JR. is presented through a special arrangement with, and all authorized performance materials are provided by, Music Theatre International (www.mtishows.com).
For more information about licensing Moana JR. or other Disney shows, please visit www.DisneyMusicals.com.
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Karen Garnett is Director of Communications for Biddeford, Saco and Dayton schools.
Local author Susan Graham discusses her book that recounts devastating damageto Fortunes Rocks and other Biddeford neighborhoods
By RANDY SEAVER,Editor
It would become the largest natural disaster in Maine’s history, and it destroyed dozens of homes in many of Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods.
Overall, the “Great Fire of 1947” caused more than $30 million in damages (roughly $438 million in today’s dollars) destroying entire towns and leaving more than 2,500 Maine people homeless.
Though the fires caused considerable damage in several communities, including Bar Harbor, York County was especially hard hit.
“It was devastating for so many families, especially in Fortunes Rocks,” says local author Susan Graham.
Graham recently published “Lost Fortunes Rocks: A Maine Summer Colony and the Fire of 1947,” a detailed account of how the devastating fires impacted the city of Biddeford, including its major employers and local government.
Local author Susan Graham holds a copy of her latest book, which offers detailed information about the “Great Fires of 1947” and how they destroyed entire neighborhoods and impacted Biddeford. (Seaver photo)
Graham’s book offers more than 180 pages of historical photos and meticulously researched information about the fire’s impact on local families, including her own parents who had moved to Biddeford from Kennebunkport just before the fire.
“It was a labor of love,” Graham said during a recent interview about her book at the Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford. “I just found it fascinating, and I had this personal connection to the fire because of where my family lived at the time.”
Much of Graham’s research was conducted at the McArthur Library in Biddeford during the COVID pandemic.
“The library was a treasure trove of information,” she recalled. “They are such a wonderful resource for the community.”
Graham said it seemed – at the time – that all of York County was on fire. In fact, the fire caused extensive damage in the western parts of the county, including the small towns of Newfield and Parsonsfield – but its most devastating impact in York County happened along the shoreline from Kennebunkport to Biddeford Pool, including the resort villages of Goose Rocks Beach, Granite Point and Fortunes Rocks.
According to Graham, the weather conditions that fueled the fire were quite similar to last year’s drought conditions in southern Maine.
“The summer of 1947 was exceptionally dry,” Graham explained. “It made heavily wooded rural areas into a virtual tinderbox.”
There are many theories about what ignited the blaze that raged for nearly two weeks in mid-October. Graham and other historians say it could have been a combination of things including human activity such as a tossed cigarette or autumn brush burning.
Graham said bucket brigades worked around the clock near Fortunes Rocks Beach, but those volunteers and the city’s firefighting resources were pulled away from the coast and redirected to protecting the central part of the city.
“There were concerns that the fires would continue up Rte. 111 from Arundel and cross Five Points, threatening the city’s hospitals, “Graham said. “The city’s fathers didn’t want to risk losing both the Webber and Trull hospitals. Who could question that decision?”
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“The city’s fathers didn’t want to risk losing both the Webber and Trull hospitals.”
— Susan Graham
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Graham says the fire raged from treetop to treetop, fueled by 40 mph wind gusts. Though roughly 50 people remained in Fortunes Rocks to fight the blaze, it was not enough to prevent what she describes as devastating damage to that neighborhood.
Large local employers, including the Saco-Lowell shops, shut down production so that their employees could help the city fight the rampaging fires.
About 60 homes were destroyed in Fortunes Rocks, Graham says, pointing out that eastern portions of Biddeford were at the time a “rural bread basket” that included several farms and a major source of food for the region.
Graham says it took her almost two years to compile the research and self-publish her book.
Copies of Graham’s book – in both hardcover and paperback — are available for sale at the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk and online at grayeaglebooks@gmail.com
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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Those who know Don Creighton will tell you that he is always the first to step up and help others in their time of need.
Unfortunately, Don is now on the other end of that equation and wondering how he’s going to make it through the next few weeks and months ahead.
Creighton, 57, is a beloved security guard at the McArthur Library. Over the last two years, he has developed quite a fan base and has become a well-known fixture in Biddeford’s downtown area.
Don Creighton, a beloved security guard at Biddeford’s McArthur Library, is facing an uncertain future. (Contributed photo)
Don’s co-workers at the library describe him as a “gentle soul,” and as a “man with a very big heart.”
Whether he is greeting an excited second-grader or a struggling member of Biddeford’s unhoused community, Don treats everyone the same: a big smile, a warm welcome and a commitment to respect.
“Everyone deserves to be treated nicely,” Don explains. “I may be a security guard, but I see my role as being a resource. I’m there to greet people and let them know that this a safe and welcoming place, no matter who they are.”
A few weeks ago, Don had a sudden seizure while working at the library. He was unconscious for several moments and was transported to the hospital.
According to his medical providers, Don had what is known as Non-Epilepsy Seizure (NES). During the seizure and resulting convulsions, Don suffered compression fractures along his spine.
Every day since has been an ongoing battle with pain so intense that Don has a hard time moving from room to room in his small apartment on Main Street.
After returning home from the hospital, Don says he avoided eating for several days because “sitting in the bathroom was just too painful.”
Several years ago, Don experienced a similar seizure while working on a lobster boat. “There is no history of epilepsy in my family,” he said, pointing out that he does take medication to prevent seizures.
Don lives alone with his dog, Mya. He describes Mya as his only source of optimism.
He says he misses his co-workers and the people he would see every day at the library.
“I love that job,” he said. “I get to spend a lot of time talking to people, and we also have a great staff – we’re like a big family.”
The isolation, combined with the pain, is taking a toll – physically, financially and spiritually.
Although he has health insurance, he has still racked up roughly $40,000 in co-pays, medicines and day-to-day expenses including rent, utilities and food.
“I live alone, and my family is trying to help me as much as possible,” he said. “I have already drained my savings – and I’m not sure what my next steps will be.”
A community begins to rally
If you visit the library, you will likely notice that Don’s work station has been decorated by colorings and drawings done by some of the library’s youngest patrons.
“Saying that Don is missed at the library is a gross understatement, said Joe Sanderson who is the library’s technical coordinator and sometimes works at the adult reference desk.
Don Creighton’s work station at McArthur Library has been decorated by younger library patrons who miss their friendly security guard. (Contributed photo)
“He is a big part of our community,” Sanderson said. “Almost daily, we are asked about how he is doing – people want updates. They want to see him back at the library.”
Sanderson and some of his co-workers have started a GoFundMe campaign to help Don cover some of his most basic expenses.
“It’s the least we can do,” Sanderson explains. “Don is always so willing to help others. Now it’s time for us to help him.”
Sanderson and his co-workers have made flyers and distributed them throughout the downtown area.
“The response from the business community has been great,” he said. “People know Don. They know how important his presence is in our community.”
For his part, Don says he finds it hard to ask for help.
“It’s been very stressful,” he said. “It’s also very scary not knowing if my spine will heal. It’s easy to get stuck in your own mind with a lot of worry.”
Editor’s Note:If you would like to contribute to Don’s GoFundMe page, please click this link: Don Creighton Support Page
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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This is the first installment of the five-part ‘Biddeford After Dark” series that was originally published in 2001 by the Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier
ByRANDY SEAVER, Editor
[Oct. 2001] A heavy and ominous fog — the precursor of a cold and damp weekend — rolled westward over Biddeford early on Friday evening, and it remained like a blanket over the city for at least the next 48 hours.
Halfway through the weekend, near midnight on Saturday, that fog seemed to be the perfect backdrop for a lone reporter wandering the city’s streets. A reporter looking for stories — the tales of the weary and the songs of those who make the darkness their kingdom.
I didn’t have to travel far.
The fluorescent, unearthly glow of the 7-Eleven sign cuts through the late night fog and mist like so many shards of shrapnel. The wail of a police siren can be heard in the distance and the downtown bars are packed and rocking.
The late-night bargains are being struck over shots of tequila, and the lonely hearts are growing more and more desperate with each passing minute.
Welcome to Biddeford after dark.
The 7-11 convenience store located at the intersection of Alfred and Jefferson streets continues today to serve as the epicenter of Biddeford’s late-night activity. (Seaver photo)
A cut-rate Statue of Liberty
Perhaps by default, the 7-Eleven store, at the corner of Alfred and Jefferson streets, has become the de-facto epicenter of night life in downtown Biddeford.
It’s not hard to blend in, but my notebook and pen make me a curious commodity in a parking lot full of late-night activity. The store’s neon signs and its bright interior lighting serve collectively as a beacon for both the downtrodden and those who have nowhere else to go at this hour. It is almost akin to a cut-rate Statue of Liberty: send me your intoxicated, your restless and your lonely.
The store and its parking lot become a social scene unto themselves as wannabe gangsters, mostly teenagers, strut in and out of the store, buying Marlboros and Mountain Dew. After waiting in line for up to five minutes, many of those same customers leave the cash register only to sit in their vehicles or loiter near the store’s front door for as much as 30 more minutes.
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Send me your intoxicated, your restless and your lonely.
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Many of those wandering in the front door know each other, and they greet one another as if they were victims of watching way too much MTV. Suddenly, this portion of southern Maine (the way life should be) resembles an imagined life in “the hood” or some dilapidated barrio.
“Yo, G-man, what up?,” hollers a young man to an acquaintance as he jumps out of a shiny SUV. Inside that Jeep Grand Cherokee, the man’s girlfriend, obviously intoxicated, mascara dripping from her eyelids, fumbles with the stereo. The throbbing pulse of rap music fills the lot and the Jeep seems to pulsate to the beat of a song that, from only a few feet away, seems indistinguishable.
Somehow, this music seems to comfort the young woman in the Jeep. She tosses her head back and closes her eyes, silently mouthing the lyrics of a Tupac Shakur song.
There is an undercurrent of violence and uncertainty hanging in the air, lending an ironic balance to the comforting quiet of the rolling fog.
Tough guys don’t dance
Across the street, in front of the Mahaney building, I approach two young men who are wearing oversized jackets and gold necklaces.
“What’s going on?” I inquire, trying to sound hip.
The men stop and look at me, puzzled by my presence and my notebook. Paper makes these tough guys nervous.
“Why do you want to know?” the shorter man asks.
“I’m doing a series of articles about Biddeford after dark,” I respond.
“Oh yeah,” the taller man says. “Make it a love story and kiss my ass.”
I keep pressing, firing off questions and promising anonymity for honest responses.
They seem to think that I am a cop. Each of them shifts from foot to foot, making hand gestures as if to proclaim that they are not intimidated. “I’ll tell you about Biddeford after dark,” the shorter man says. “Biddeford sucks.”
“Why?” I ask.
“. . . ‘cause it just does,” he responds, carefully watching me write down his response. “Hey, do you believe this [expletive]? He’s writing down what I’m saying,” the short man tells his friend. “I’m gonna be in the newspaper. I’m gonna be famous.”
The taller man is making his way toward the ‘50s Pub on Franklin Street. He wants nothing more to do with me or my five-part series.
A few moments later, I come across another man walking along Alfred Street.
Patrick, 24, is clean-cut, wearing faded blue jeans and a maroon pull-over sweatshirt. He pauses to answer my questions, carefully contemplating his responses.
“Why does Biddeford suck,” he asks, rhetorically. “Well, they put a garbage dump [MERC] right in the middle of town. Who would think to put a waste facility right in the middle of the city?”
“Why aren’t there other businesses open late at night?” I ask.
“The downtown is lousy to look at,” he replies. “and there’s not enough parking.”
The downtown parking lots are virtually empty.
There is no question that the downtown presence of the MERC waste-to-energy incinerator stunted Biddeford’s growth for more than three decades
Twenty-four, seven—
Back at the 7-Eleven, Karen stands outside the front door, smoking a cigarette.
Karen, 30, has just returned to full-time work after a six-month hiatus. She is a third-shift clerk who says the late-night hours seem to match her sleeping habits.
“I’d rather work second shift,” she says. “But this shift is still better than first shift. I can’t get up in the mornings.”
Stewart previously worked at the store, and she gives an air of being nonchalant when talking about the things she sees while most of the city sleeps. She tells of a homeless man who waits each night for her to throw the old donuts in the garbage dumpster. She sees college students with fake ID cards and high school kids stumbling into the store, drunk or stoned.
“All of the weirdos come here because we’re the only place open,” Stewart explains between puffs of her cigarette. “Last Thursday night, we must have had 20 people waiting in line.”
What do they buy?
“Hot dogs, sandwiches and cigarettes,” Stewart says. “Once the ‘50s [Pub] closes, they all wander over here ‘cause they got the munchies.”
As for the late-night beer runs, just moments before 1 a.m., Stewart confirms what we already suspected. The store becomes a madhouse of activity.
“We lock the beer coolers at 12:45,” she explains. “That way, people who are just wandering around in the store can’t buy alcohol after one.”
Life During Wartime
Inside the store, roughly a dozen people wander aimlessly through the narrow aisles, browsing the selection of potato chips, pastries and the six hot dogs at the bottom of a steamer.
The store is brightly lit, and a bag of garbage has spilled into one of the aisles. The coffee pots are full, and Stewart rings up each customer, many of whom toss crumpled dollar bills at her from across the counter.
The song playing on the store’s radio seems fitting. The Talking Heads’ “Life During Wartime”: I got some groceries — some peanut butter — to last a couple of days — but I ain’t got no speakers, ain’t got no headphones, ain’t got no records to play. . . I sleep in the daytime, work in the nighttime . . . this ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco — this ain’t no foolin’ around.
Outside, a teenager from Thornton Academy makes a deal in the parking lot. Within moments, a young man emerges from the store with a six-pack of Budweiser beer. A quick, bleary-eyed handshake later, and the student takes the beer and returns to the car where his friends wait.
Romeo and Juliet
On the edge of the parking lot, just beyond where the police cruisers roll past on Jefferson Street, a young couple is in the middle of a hushed conversation. I dub them Romeo and Juliet.
Romeo is nervous, and Juliet bravely walks alone across the parking lot. She is all of 15 and wearing braces. She buys Romeo a Mountain Dew and walks back to greet him across the street.
Romeo is wearing a baseball cap in reverse. I approach these kids.
What are you doing out this late?
“I fell asleep at my boyfriend’s house,” she explains. “My watch broke.”
“Yeah,” Romeo chimes in. “We’re cousins.”
I’m not buying what Romeo is selling tonight.
“No, we really are,” Juliet insists.
Where are your parents?
“Ain’t got no parents,” Romeo pronounces, growing more cocky with each passing second. “I live in hotels and work on a paving crew.”
Juliet thinks her father might be inside the ‘50s Pub, and she peers through the bar’s tinted windows to confirm her suspicions.
“He’s going to be pissed if he finds out I’m not home,” Juliet says of her father.
Why don’t you go home?
“Because he might be there,” she responds.
What about your mother?
“Don’t have one,” she shrugs.
Inside the bar, a cocktail waitress weaves through the sweaty crowd and a doorman stands his post near the door, keeping a careful eye on the crowded dance floor. I look for Juliet’s dad, but he’s nowhere to be found.
Juliet is in trouble, I surmise. And then, I walk home — past the closed pawn shops, nail polish parlors and restaurants. I can’t stop thinking about Juliet and her uncertain future.
This is Biddeford After Dark. Sleep well.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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